French Onion Dip

Name: French Onion Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs yellow onions, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1/2 cup beef broth (low-sodium); 1 cup sour cream; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 bay leaf; 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Creamy, luxurious dip with deep caramelized onions, Gruyère, and sour cream. A modern French-inspired appetizer that's become a trending party favorite.

55 minEasyServes 8165 cal/serving

FrenchAppetizerStovetopVegetarian

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
1 cup sour cream
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Instructions

1

Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
2

Add 1.5 lbs thinly sliced yellow onions and stir to coat. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
3

Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 40-45 minutes until the yellow onions are deep golden brown and caramelized. This slow cooking is key for flavor.
4

In the last minute of cooking, add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and stir well.
5

Remove from heat and let the yellow onions cool slightly.
6

In a bowl, combine 1 cup sour cream, 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Stir until smooth.
7

Fold in the cooled caramelized yellow onions and 1/2 cup beef broth (low-sodium).
8

Taste and adjust seasoning. Discard fresh thyme and bay leaf if they were added as sprigs.
9

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives. Serve with crackers, toasted bread, or vegetable crudités.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for French Onion Dip?

As written, 55 minutes: 5 of prep and 50 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 3 (45 minutes): "Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 40-45 minutes until the yellow onions are deep golden brown and caramelized."

Is there a substitute for Gruyere in French Onion Dip?

The entry for French Onion Dip calls for 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated. In its place: Emmental, Jarlsberg or a good Swiss cheese melts the same way. Comte is the closest in flavor.

Can I make French Onion Dip dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup sour cream, 4 oz cream cheese, softened, 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free appetizer collection instead.

Is French Onion Dip vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup sour cream, 4 oz cream cheese, softened and 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan appetizer collection.

How many calories are in French Onion Dip?

One serving (the recipe makes 8) is about 165 calories, with 5 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate and 12 g fat, plus 420 mg sodium.

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